Coast, Cliffs & Café Culture

Sea it all Coast, Cliffs & Café Culture Ramsgate to Broadstairs Walk

explore kent | 1 Ramsgate to “There’s nothing I like Broadstairs better than a weekend by the coast, walking, Walk biking, relaxing.” Nicholas Crane Presenter of the BBC Coast series

If you enjoy the sea, you will love this coast hugging, cliff topping, café cruising circuit from Active Ramsgate. Like all the trails in the initiative, this route goes the extra mile to delight and surprise. From awe inspiring white cliffs to the breath taking views across Viking Bay, every step leads to something special you can enjoy.

2 | explore kent explore kent | 3 On the waterfront…

There can be few more But don’t get too comfortable on to the cliff top or down on beautiful places to start a because there’s a lot to enjoy to the beach at Dumpton Gap coastal walk than the 700 and see as you pick up the where you will be rewarded berth Royal Harbour Marina. Thanet Coastal Path, pass with some stunning views - Just 35 miles from the French the Royal Victoria Pavilion and a refreshing drink from a coast and a skip and a hop and Ramsgate Sands and seasonal kiosk. away from attractions like the (at high tide) head on to Sailor’s Church, Jacob’s Ladder King George VI Memorial Enjoy the sense of in Military Road, the RNLI Park. Large, grassy, and achievement because in a Lifeboat Station and the Royal much beloved by dogs and few moments you will leave Temple Yacht Club, almost their walkers, this all season this remarkable seascape everything you want to see is attraction (originally the site and round the bend into within easy reach. of Sir Moses Montefiore’s Louisa Bay, a beautiful sandy home, East Cliff Lodge), can area famous for its rock Enjoy cafes like the unfailingly give a sense of wonderful pools and very different, but warm and stylish Miles Bar seclusion, despite being only equally impressive, views of on the harbour front and the a few minutes gentle amble Broadstairs. aptly named Nice Things bijou from the harbour. On your gallery, craft and gift shop, right, the channel and (on a inside The Custom House on good day!) a truly spectacular the harbour side. view of the French coastline. Depending on the tide, you can either follow the route up

4 | explore kent explore kent | 5 ...And back again

The return leg of this gentle trail pretty Victoria Gardens with its individual character. From (assuming the British weather rustic arbour and pergola until the cliff top views and coastal doesn’t misbehave and drive you pick up the return route wildlife to the vibrant café you back to Ramsgate in a bus!) over Dumpton Gap, through culture, there’s a great deal to begins at Viking Bay where you King George VI Memorial, experience and enjoy. are free to savour the wonderful and it’s restored Italianate views from some nearby Greenhouse… and finally, back hostelries and cafes. into Ramsgate.

When you are ready to walk off Every stage of this walk has those treats, simply retrace your been designed to give you a steps through the unfailingly true sense of the area’s very

6 | explore kent explore kent | 7 What’s an Italian Greenhouse doing in an English Park? The King George VI Memorial Park offers walkers a peaceful environment they can relax and unwind in.

As well as boasting a huge range of trees and plants, including holm oaks, a fine beech tree, mulberries, ash, lime, sycamores and horse chestnuts, the park is home to one of the areas most ethereal landmarks - the Italianate Greenhouse. This Grade II listed building dates from the early nineteenth century and closely resembles the cutting edge greenhouse designs of Sir George Mackenzie of Edinburgh and also John Claudius Loudon (1783-1843).

So why is it called Italian? Sir Moses Montefiore, then the owner of East Cliff Lodge, planted a small formal garden outside the front entrance of the greenhouse, complete with an ornate fountain, which he had imported from Italy. The project was so successful that the whole area soon became known as ‘The Italian Garden’ with the ‘Italian Greenhouse’.

8 | explore kent explore kent | 9 Viking Bay

If Broadstairs is the “Jewel in Thanet’s crown”, really shouldn’t be missed. Surfers (who don’t then Viking Bay must be its rarest diamond. This mind the chilly sea temperatures), tourists and magnificent horse shoe shaped stretch of 150 lucky locals all agree that this bay has to be seen meter long sand filled beach is a rare treat that to be fully appreciated.

There’s more to Custom House than meets the eye

You may be pleasantly surprised and Excise, this elegant building the world go by over a refreshing to learn that as well as being has its own coffee house and coffee house snack and drink. an excellent source of visitor carvery - and a hidden courtyard It is also home to Nice Things information and local events, garden where you can relax in the bijou gallery, craft and gift shop Ramsgate Custom House is also sunshine or shade. Alternatively, which sell mainly handmade a great place to enjoy delicious you can pull up a chair at the items by local artisans, artists and food. Originally used by Customs front of the building and watch craftspeople.

10 | explore kent explore kent | 11 " Continue along the promenade and you will see the offshore wind-farm busily generating Ramsgate to green electricity out on the horizon. Soon 5 6 another blue building, with another kiosk Broadstairs (seasonal) and public conveniences (open April to September, daily) will come into view. Stay on the promenade but instead of following the Walk Overview: road uphill, keep to the right, past a yellow and 4 black metal vehicle barrier, and carry on along Location: Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, CT11 the sea wall. 8LN and Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1EU Distance: 5 miles (8km) circular - allow 2.5 hours for the circular and 1.5 hours one way 2 A little further on and Ramsgate’s Sea Garden Terrain: Mainly surfaced paths with some will come into view; a small garden inspired by beach walking. Steps allow access to higher the coastal environment that lies on the site path at high tide. Some moderate slopes of the old Marina swimming pool and boating Facilities: Shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs lake. You might appreciate a small breather in Ramsgate and Broadstairs. There are also by now. There is an interpretation panel and public toilets and seasonal kiosks along the 7 a bench you can use to enjoy the view out route across the sandy beach and the sea. Transport: Traveline 0871 200 22 33 3 www.traveline.info The sea wall runs directly along the foot of white chalk cliffs at this point and " At Dumpton Gap you can choose to walk along the approximately 200 metres further on you will  beach or the cliff top path. Please be aware that at reach a switch-back path up to the cliff-top. high tide you will need to follow the cliff top path. 8 At high tide, follow this route to continue You can check tide times in advance. the walk to Broadstairs. You can return to the beach or sea wall at Dumpton Gap. When the Start as you mean to tide is low, you can continue along the sea wall, for another 450 metres, before reaching continue by setting an a ramp that leads you down onto the sandy easy, relaxed pace and beach. This section of the walk offers you some truly stunning views of the channel, 9 remember that this is with the imposing white cliffs on your left and a walk designed to be the multitude of chalk rocks, worn smooth by 5 miles (8km) the daily tides, strewn at the cliff’s base. But High tide route enjoyed, not rushed remember that there is no sea-wall to escape Bus Stop to if you get caught out by the rising tide, so 1 As you leave the Ramsgate Harbour area and plan ahead. 2 Parking the eclectic mix of restaurants, cafés and pubs Information overlooking the inner yacht marina, you will  Museum pass the former Royal Victoria Pavilion and the Kiosk old Harbour cliff lift and head towards the blue 10 " Railway station building which is the boulevard kiosk. A small fun fair, offering merry-go-round, swing-boats 0 0.25 0.5 1 Km and other old style fair rides, is set out on the 0 ± Miles beach in front of the kiosk and there is ample 0 0.25 0.5

12 | explore kent explore kent | 13 view across Viking Bay. If you’ve worked up an 3 After approximately 630 metres, another ramp appetite, you can also stop off for a bite at the will lead you off the beach; up past a row of Charles Dickens pub, Royal Albion Hotel, Prezzo brightly coloured wooden beach huts and back or Chiappini’s (amongst others). on to the sea-wall at Dumpton Gap, where a seasonal kiosk serves refreshing hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice creams. Public toilets 5 Follow the path as it slopes down to the junction (including baby-change facilities) are also with Harbour Street, turn right and continue, available here. downhill, past Wyatt and Jones, the Sun Terrace, Pavilion Gardens and the Tartar Frigate Public Follow the sea wall’s final bend into Louisa Bay house. (There are more public toilets available and you will be rewarded with some fantastic Continue straight on or return to walk along the Now turn left out of the park gates, follow the here). When you reach The Boathouse, turn 7 9 views of Broadstairs and a chance to walk along beach to Ramsgate - if the tide is favourable (low path along the top of the East Cliff, pass the top right onto the pier, find a bench or grab a well- the beach at low tide from Dumpton Gap. tide only). At high tide take the cliff-top section of the switch-back path and head towards the deserved drink and snack from the kiosk at the of the ‘paved’ path that finishes shortly after Granville Theatre. Look out for some attractive end (seasonal). Dumpton Gap and continue on short grass for ‘Victorian style’ shelters dotted along the East 4 Thanks to a series of steps that lead from the approximately 450 metres. Just follow the Leas Cliff on the way. The top entrance to the Harbour beach up to the sea-wall, you can quickly retreat and head towards the converted lighthouse in cliff lift is now on your left with the path running 6 Now you can retrace your steps back through to safety if the tide catches you by surprise. At the distance. adjacent to Madeira Walk as it begins its gentle Victoria Gardens to the steps by the footbridge the Louisa Bay cafe (seasonal) a ramp will lead descent to the harbour. but instead of taking the steps down to the you uphill, under the footbridge and onto a set sea wall, continue across the bridge and follow of steps to the cliff top. Turn left at the top of You are nearly there, so enjoy these final sights as the path along the top of the cliff. There are 8 the steps and you will enter Victoria Gardens, the trail leads you back to a surfaced path (also You know you are on track when you see the a number of additional benches available 10 a circular park with a path you can follow in the Viking Coastal Trail) beside the lighthouse, Albion Park gardens on the opposite side of here that you can use to enjoy the space and either direction towards the bandstand. There where you can continue on through the King the road. A few moments more and you have tranquillity of the wide grassed “Leas” area are toilets and baby change facilities here if you George VI Memorial Park. You’ll find an excellent arrived at the bottom of the hill and back at the between you and the Western Esplanade. There need them. children’s playground, a café and some toilets Ramsgate Harbour/ Yacht Marina. are also two interpretation panels at South Cliff near the exit at the far end of the park. Be sure and panoramic views, over Dumpton Gap, back From here you can join the promenade, where to take a short detour into the park to view the towards Ramsgate Harbour. there are more interpretation panels and Italianate Greenhouse. benches you can use to rest and take in the Welcome home

“Kent’s coast line is one of the finest in Britain. It blends great scenery and history with some fantastic family activities, alongside great sailing waters.” Sam Brearey National, European and World Sailing Champion

14 | explore kent explore kent | 15 Kent Greeters Want a bit of individual attention? Kent Greeters are a band of helpful and passionate volunteers that are ready and waiting to share the local area they know and love so well. As well as taking you on a short 2 - 4 hour personalised walk, greeters will introduce you to the local highlights, hidden gems and everything else that makes up their day-to-day world. The service is created to be as helpful and fun as possible, totally free and available to groups of up to six people.

Visit their website for more details: www.kentgreeters.co.uk

For more information about Ramsgate and all the local area has to offer, you can pop into For more things to do and places to stay in the Visitor Information Centres where the local Kent, the Garden of England, go to staff will be happy to help. www.visitkent.co.uk

Ramsgate Visitor Information Centre For more walks in Kent use the The Custom House, Harbour Parade excellent Explore Kent website Ramsgate CT11 8LP www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent 01843 598750 Open 10am - 4pm Download the Explore Kent App from the App store and follow this walk on your smartphone. Thanet Visitor Information Centre For more things to do and places to stay in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate. Droit House, Stone Pier Margate CT9 1JD 01843 577577 www.visitthanet.co.uk Open 10am - 5pm

Broadstairs Information Kiosk Victoria Parade, Broadstairs Open 10am - 4pm seasonally

This document is available in alternative formats and can be explained in a range of languages. Tel: 0300 333 5540